Golf tee



May 29, 1928.

C. G. DUGANNE GOLF TEE Filed March 28, 1928 Patented May 29, 1928.

CHARLES e. DUGANNE, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

GOLF TEE.

Application filed March 28, 1928. Serial No. 265,411.

This invention relates to devices for use in playingthe game of golf, and more particularly to golf tees adapted'to support the golf ball in an elevat to the drive. i

The object of the invention is the provision of a tee which is equi ped with means insertible into the groun whereby to hold the tee in upright position, and yet Which may be so economically manufactured as to justify thediscard thereof after several usages, in the event of slight damage from the strokes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tee which is equipped with a plurality of normally flat wings adapted to be quickly adjusted to operative or ball-holding positlon.

Other objects of the invention will be made apparent in the following specifications, when read in connection with the accom panying drawings forming a part thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tee embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front plan view of the tee in inoperative position.

Fig. 3 is a side view of thetee in operative position.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the wing forming members of the tee.

Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a modified form of supporting shaft, and,

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of .Flg.

Now referringspecifically to the drawing in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, 1 is a metallic supporting shaft, having a looped portion 2, and a pointed end 3,, here illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, as a wire doubled upon itself, and twisted at its free ends.

The looped portion 2 of the shaft 1. surrounds and closely embraces two wing members 4, 4, along the central vertical axes thereof, the extreme top portion of the wire forming the shaft lying in a notch 5 formed in each of the wing members 4, whereby to prevent the surface of thewire from extending beyond the top edges of said members.

The wing members 4, 4, may be constructed of any sufficiently rigid flexible material of position, preparatory a strength adequate to operatively retain a golf. ball on their edges. Thin cardboard, or relatively thick paper is adapted to this use, but I prefer to construct the wings 4 from two-ply paper having 6 enclosed by the paper layers, thereby insuring the necessary strength and providing a wing structure such that the ball-supporting members will maintain any adjusted position. A wing 4 so formed isillustrated in section, in Fig. 6. Wings made of such prepared material are of especial advantage, in that, after the tee has been used, the player may press the wings together, flatly in parallelism, and the more easily carry the tee in his pocket, if desired. Furthermore the wire6 strengthens the wings and manifestly lengthens the life of the tee.

In manufacture, a loop of the Wire forming the shaft 1, is laid in aligned notches 5, 5, in two wings placed in parallel contact, and the looped portion 2 of the wire is grasped in a vice, or by pliers, and the lower free ends are twisted together until the internal surfaces of'the wire forming the loop 2 is in contact with the top and bottom edges ofthe wings 4, the extreme top of the portion of the wire forming the loop being nested in the notches 5, 5, as will be understood. a

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a modified form of the supporting shaft 1. In this embodiment of the invention I may utilize a shaft of slightly bendable metal, such as provided for the ends commonly used on shoe laces. The material should be pointed how ever, and of sufficient rigidity to be pushed into the ground, and the upper end is vertically split to receive the wings 4, 4. After the wings are inserted, the extreme top portion of the shaft may be crimped with a suitable tool, as will be understood.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that I have provided a golf tee which is very economical from a manufacturing standpoint, and which is efiicient in operation, and adapted for foldable adjustment into compact inoperative position. The wings 4 are about an inch long and substantially one-half inch wide at the narrowest portion, tapering downwardly and inwardly along their top edges, to provide a concaved seat for the golf ball. An attractive feature ina malleable wire skilled in the art, but my invention covers all embodiments falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1- A gol te c mn is ng a plu a ity o wing members eachprovided with a centrally positioned notch in its upper edge, wire carryinga loopsurrounding said members and having its upper portion fiated in said n otches, the lOSTQQIYQIIdS Of said wire ,bein'g tWlStQd to form a supporting shaft.

' 2. A wing for golf tees, comprisin aflexible memberhav ng an inwardly and downna jdly tapering upper edge, a notch provvidedin the lowest port-ion of said edge,,and ,a wire of pliable material extending longitudinally of said wing.

3. A golf tee comprising a plurality of wingmembers having an upper edge shaped to receive a ball, and atee supportingshaft enclosing the central portion of said members and clamping ,themtogether.

4. A golf tee comprising a plurality of flexible wing members each having an upper edge shaped to receive a ball, and a tee supporting shaft comprising a wire enclosing the central portion of said members, an twisted to facilitate the insertion thereof into the ground.

5. A golf tee comprising a ball supporting member, and a twisted Wire embracing sai memberand adapted for insertion into the ground.

6. A golf tee comprising a ball supporting member, and a. wirelooped around the central port-ion of said member-and depending therefrom, the lower portion of said vvire being twisted to adapt it for insert on into the ground.

.7. A golf tee comprising a ball supporting member concaved at its top to receive a bal said :member being provided with a downwardly extending notch at the pointof lowest concavity, and a Wire having a looped portion lying in said notch and embracing said member, said wire being twisted, below said member, to facilitate insertion into the L ground.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES e. DUG TNNE. 

